How far out do you book your plane ticket?

[disneyseniors]

I set my alerts, im just happy its easy to use

I'm going to give it a try too! Thanks to 3Kmom

 

[kes601]

For flying to MCO we wait until a couple of months out unless booking Southwest as we tend to book refundable fares so if it goes down we can get a credit back to our card. Moving forward we will also be looking at Breeze as they just started service between ORF and MCO (looks like expanding to 4 times a week in the spring). For them I will book once I think the rates are not going to get any lower.

If flying anywhere that requires a connection we tend to book as early as we can on Delta. We look for the least expensive option we are comfortable with. There has never been a time when booking several months out where the flight doesn't change and we can switch to any flight we want at no charge (sometimes the change could be as simple as a flight number change).

I think the earliest we have ever booked is for a flight to Iceland next year. That was done at 11+ months out.

 

[KPeterso]

The subject line sums it up, but im wondering how far out everyone buys their plane tickets before a trip? Im about 5 months out and without a ticket, but with my favorite airline having all these travel by deadlines now, im more hesitant to pull the plug until later.

Do you find that last minute deals are better or booking months ahead for a busy season?

We're still waiting for my wife's work vacation approval to post, which adds another layer of complexity to having to book these trips so far in advance.

Like you, I am in SoCal. I typically fly LAX to MCO so I can take direct flights. My preference is Delta and then United and then the others. I start looking for my flights about 6-8 months in advance. I monitor the prices and check regularly. Around 3-4 months out, i start checking flight prices daily. When the price drops to a price I am comfortable paying, I book the flights. I know approximately what I want to pay and in monitoring the prices regularly, I know where the prices are starting. I have had times I rebook to lower the price slightly, but I have also missed the lowest price too, so be ready when you see a price you are happy with. I am thrilled under $350 and very happy under $400 and ok at $450.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I'm a nervous Type A, and we fly exclusively JetBlue, which I love that they post airfare at 11 months out, too, and book ASAP. JetBlue is also great about canceling the airfare and then rebooking at the cheaper price and the difference goes in your travel bank for the next trip.

I like to have my ducks in a row, everything extraneous (tickets, airfare, GCs) all prepaid and ready to go so I can just get excited about planning ADRs or new things to try, etc.

I tried Hopper and Google Flights, but unless I'm doing something wrong, they only show the cheapest airfare with no bags and not picking your seats. By the time you add in carryon luggage and seat selection, the information seemed irrelevant.

 

[Girlstar30]

Like you, I am in SoCal. I typically fly LAX to MCO so I can take direct flights. My preference is Delta and then United and then the others. I start looking for my flights about 6-8 months in advance. I monitor the prices and check regularly. Around 3-4 months out, i start checking flight prices daily. When the price drops to a price I am comfortable paying, I book the flights. I know approximately what I want to pay and in monitoring the prices regularly, I know where the prices are starting. I have had times I rebook to lower the price slightly, but I have also missed the lowest price too, so be ready when you see a price you are happy with. I am thrilled under $350 and very happy under $400 and ok at $450.

They're pretty high right now on SW. My wife refuses to fly from LAX and I get it but a direct flight would be nice. It does give me anxiety to wait too long but now I have anxiety to book too soon

 

[Girlstar30]

I'm a nervous Type A, and we fly exclusively JetBlue, which I love that they post airfare at 11 months out, too, and book ASAP. JetBlue is also great about canceling the airfare and then rebooking at the cheaper price and the difference goes in your travel bank for the next trip.

I like to have my ducks in a row, everything extraneous (tickets, airfare, GCs) all prepaid and ready to go so I can just get excited about planning ADRs or new things to try, etc.

I tried Hopper and Google Flights, but unless I'm doing something wrong, they only show the cheapest airfare with no bags and not picking your seats. By the time you add in carryon luggage and seat selection, the information seemed irrelevant.

Im like this too, I just want to book and get it done with and then buy gift cards thoughout the months for the trip! Going on vacation every 6 months is new to me

I noticed the cheapest fare on SW now doesnt include seat assignment until you get there. That makes me super nervous, I dont want to risk a middle seat away from my wife.

The next fare up includes changes so booking now wouldnt harm me unless ofc I have to cancel and cant use it for over a year out I have to use SW this time because I have a ton of gift cards from before the changes unfortunately

 

[aka Charles]

I am a planner and like to get things locked in early.
I normally fly Delta, and the sooner the better works for me.
Especially when using Skymiles and/or Companion Certificates.
Best routes, schedule, and seats available.
With my Delta status, I can usually get upgraded from Main to Comfort, and sometimes to First.
.

 

[VGCgroupie]

They're pretty high right now on SW. My wife refuses to fly from LAX and I get it but a direct flight would be nice. It does give me anxiety to wait too long but now I have anxiety to book too soon

What airport do you fly out of ?